07-04-2020, 10:37 AM
I’m not particularly interested in what Trump says. Indeed I try to ignore it. I also don’t think what he personally does vis a vis masks etc matter to many. Those who refuse to wear masks (I disagree with them) do so I suspect for a variety of reasons - one being people who mistrust Govt, another being younger kids showing the youths tendency to believe they are invincible.
As for the science on this- it’s been all over the place. Starting with masks. You know the history I don’t need repeat it.
There have been a multitude of studies saying different things reaching different conclusions on almost every aspect of this virus. (And for every comment Trump makes that “underplays” the risk there are a multitude of those that overplay it. Or at least make certain to ratchet up the concern (or as some would say, fear)). And those studies get major play. So I don’t buy the notion that because Trump makes yet another stupid comment, people let there guard down. Indeed I think the vast majority of people are still concerned, still are taking appropriate measures to protect themselves and others. But at the same time, there is only so long people will remain in heavy SIP. Social animals etc. And it’s summer.)
From the outset, there has been differences in viewpoints of how best to deal with this. How to balance the health aspects with the economy. I bristle then and now when it’s framed (as it often is) as “those that want to save lives” versus those that are simply selfish. I find that many that take that moralistic approach are those for whom the hits to the economy are easily taken. I’m guessing, for example, that most of the people who frequent this board are in pretty good shape financially and can handle - not without some pain – but at least handle - the economic downturn. Little different for those in the lower economic strata for whom the economic consequences meant loss of jobs and making it that much more difficult to put food on their table. Not to mention the potential long term economic impact. I don’t know what the right “balance” was, but it’s not as simplistic as it was often laid out.
I also bristle – just for balance sake - at those that indicate that governors in blue states simply wanted to drive the economy down so Trump would lose. I find that argument every bit as distasteful as the “we just want to save lives“ argument.
Add to the fact that we are a Republic with 50 states each, with their own self governance and you have a mishmash of approaches, making it that much more difficult.
For those of you who suggest that Trump could’ve made orders to impose on all 50 states, I don’t think so. Indeed, harken back to the day when Trump made the comment that he could undertake steps to end the SIP’s and open up the states economies and was immediately shot down on federalism grounds as once again showing his lack of understanding of our Constitutional framework.
As for what tomorrow brings in regards to this virus who knows. It’s constantly changing landscape. I just get up in the morning and hope we are one day closer to getting past this mess.
Happy Independence Day.
As for the science on this- it’s been all over the place. Starting with masks. You know the history I don’t need repeat it.
There have been a multitude of studies saying different things reaching different conclusions on almost every aspect of this virus. (And for every comment Trump makes that “underplays” the risk there are a multitude of those that overplay it. Or at least make certain to ratchet up the concern (or as some would say, fear)). And those studies get major play. So I don’t buy the notion that because Trump makes yet another stupid comment, people let there guard down. Indeed I think the vast majority of people are still concerned, still are taking appropriate measures to protect themselves and others. But at the same time, there is only so long people will remain in heavy SIP. Social animals etc. And it’s summer.)
From the outset, there has been differences in viewpoints of how best to deal with this. How to balance the health aspects with the economy. I bristle then and now when it’s framed (as it often is) as “those that want to save lives” versus those that are simply selfish. I find that many that take that moralistic approach are those for whom the hits to the economy are easily taken. I’m guessing, for example, that most of the people who frequent this board are in pretty good shape financially and can handle - not without some pain – but at least handle - the economic downturn. Little different for those in the lower economic strata for whom the economic consequences meant loss of jobs and making it that much more difficult to put food on their table. Not to mention the potential long term economic impact. I don’t know what the right “balance” was, but it’s not as simplistic as it was often laid out.
I also bristle – just for balance sake - at those that indicate that governors in blue states simply wanted to drive the economy down so Trump would lose. I find that argument every bit as distasteful as the “we just want to save lives“ argument.
Add to the fact that we are a Republic with 50 states each, with their own self governance and you have a mishmash of approaches, making it that much more difficult.
For those of you who suggest that Trump could’ve made orders to impose on all 50 states, I don’t think so. Indeed, harken back to the day when Trump made the comment that he could undertake steps to end the SIP’s and open up the states economies and was immediately shot down on federalism grounds as once again showing his lack of understanding of our Constitutional framework.
As for what tomorrow brings in regards to this virus who knows. It’s constantly changing landscape. I just get up in the morning and hope we are one day closer to getting past this mess.
Happy Independence Day.